Hygiene – It is essential to follow good hygiene practices such as washing hands after using the toilet, after changing a baby’s nappy and before touching or preparing food14.

When to call the doctor?

You should consult your doctor immediately if your child does become ill with severe vomiting and diarrhoea, or if your child shows signs of dehydration such as: 15

a rapid heartbeat,

dry mouth, lips and tongue,

dry eyes and the lack of tears,

dry nappies for more than 3 hours.

The following are recommended for the management of children and infants with diarrhoea:

Give your child frequent sips of water to replenish fluids lost through diarrhoea to prevent dehydration16, 17.

Continue to breastfeed or bottle-feed the child12.

Avoid fruit juices and fizzy drinks as these can make diarrhoea worse18.

Your doctor may suggest an oral rehydration solution (ORS) if a child is dehydrated or at risk of dehydration 12.

Avoid giving your child sugary foods and drinks19 but rather opt for energy- and nutrient-rich food such as grains, meats, fruits and vegetables19.

If your child doesn’t have an appetite, he or she should continue to be given drinks until the appetite returns 17.

Common myths and facts about rotavirus

Myth – “Infant diarrhoea is not serious.”Fact – In severe cases of diarrhoea, dehydration can lead to the hospitalisation of infants and young children3, 4, 5. If a child has had six or more episodes of diarrhoea within 24 hours, parents are advised to seek medical advice18.

Myth – “Diarrhoea will generally clear up in a day or so.”Fact – Sometimes this can be the case, but children suffering from rotavirus gastroenteritis can have diarrhoea which last for up to a week1.

Symptoms or diarrhoea can lead to other health conditions such as dehydration and malnutrition17.

Myth – “Diarrhoea is caused by contaminated food.”Fact – Viruses which can cause diarrhoea such as rotavirus are easily spread between children, mainly by contaminated toys, objects, hands, water and food9, 10. Diarrhoea outbreaks often occur in nurseries where children are likely to mix together and share toys. 10

Myth – “Diarrhoea is only a problem in developing countries.”Fact – Although diarrhoea is a significant problem in less developed countries, it also constitutes a large public health burden in the developed countries1.

Almost every child in the world will suffer from diarrhoea caused by rotavirus gastroenteritis before the age of five, with some cases leading to severe illness6.

Myth –“There’s nothing much I can do to prevent a child from getting diarrhoea.”Fact – The chance of a child experiencing symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting can be reduced through various methods such as good hygiene, breastfeeding and proper nutrition20. Additionally oral vaccination has been recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as an effective way of preventing against diarrhoea caused by rotavirus gastroenteritis13.

References:

Linhares AC, Bresee JS. Rotavirus vaccines and vaccination in Latin America. The Pan American Journal of Public Health. 2000;8(5);305-30